Cisgenic Apple Trees with Improved Fire Blight Resistance (Agroscope)
In the field trial, apple trees were examined to which a gene from a wild apple was transferred using genetic engineering methods. The gene confers resistance to fire blight, the most important bacterial disease affecting apple trees worldwide.
Progression of the Project
Agroscope submitted an application for the permit to conduct the field trial to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) in October 2015. It was approved on 3 May 2016 and the apple trees were planted a week later. Various surveys and samplings were carried out each year until the trees were uprooted in November 2020. The monitoring of the former trial area is still in progress.
Further information
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Protected Site - Site for Field Trials of Genetically Modified Plants
Agroscope is operating a protected field site at the location Reckenholz (Zurich) to enable field experiments with genetically modified plants in Switzerland. The aim of those experiments is to identify the potential and the limitations of green gene technology.
Fire blight
Fire blight is a highly contagious plant disease caused by bacteria. As well as apples, pears and quinces, it also affects many popular ornamental plants.
